Gift Wrap Bag

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a gift bag formed with a functional ribbon or drawstring member attached adjacent to the open mouth, with the functional ribbon or drawstring member circumscribing the perimeter of the mouth opening and extending through a channel formed at the opening of the gift bag. When the drawstring member is pulled taut, the gift bag is sealed and the enclosed gift concealed. The gift bag can be purchased in a folded or rolled state in a variety of solid colors, patterns to suit any occasion or holiday, and in a variety of sizes. In addition, the gift bag contains a transparent or clear pocket attached to the exterior surface. The remaining open side of the pocket allows for the insertion of a greeting card or other means of identifying the person to receive the gift.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C §119(e) of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/319,593, filed Mar. 31, 2010,entitled “Gift Wrap Bag,” the contents of which are incorporated hereinin their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a gift bag; and in particular to a decorativegift bag which has a drawstring for easy closure and a clear pocket forinsertion of a greeting card.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gift wrapping can be difficult when the gift is large or odd shaped. Itcan also prove to be difficult to get a gift wrapped in a short lengthof time. Gift wrapping paper is traditionally acquired in two forms:rolled around a tube approximately 3 feet in width, or folded up into asquare or rectangle and enclosed in a sealed bag or protective covering.Using a roll of gift wrapping paper typically requires a large, flatarea in which to unroll the appropriate amount of wrapping paper to wrapthe intended gift. Wrapping a gift with wrapping paper is difficultenough when the gift is small and square or rectangle in shape, as thepaper often shifts during the process, affecting the aesthetics of thewrapped package. In addition, the paper is thin and fragile andsometimes tears, requiring replacement; and the folding on the ends canpresent problems as the wrapper tries to fold the excess wrapping paperneatly into an aesthetically pleasing flap to tape down. Gift wrappingis further complicated when the gift is very large or odd shaped. Oftentimes the wrapper is required to find or even purchase a box orcontainer to put the gift into before it can be wrapped, resulting inadditional expense and time spent wrapping. Sometimes the gift ispurchased at the last minute and needs to be wrapped or concealed “onthe fly” or in a location that does not allow for the spreading out andmanipulation of awkward wrapping paper. Additionally, gift wrappingpaper is usually torn and disposed of after use, which is wasteful andnot cost effective.

Therefore, what is needed in the art is a gift wrap bag. The gift wrapbag should be available in various sizes which can be easily filled andclosed with a ribbon or drawstring. In addition, the gift bag shouldcontain a transparent or clear pocket located on the exterior surface toallow for the insertion of a greeting card or other means of identifyingthe person to receive the gift.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a gift wrap bag formed with a functionalribbon or drawstring member attached adjacent or in close proximity tothe open mouth, with the functional ribbon or drawstring membercircumscribing at least the majority of the perimeter of the mouthopening. The bag is constructed from an opaque polymeric material whichmay include printed designs or the like on its' outer surface. Thedrawstring member is attached to the bag by stitching or threadingthrough a channel formed at the opening of the gift bag where the topedge is folded over and stitched or sealed around the perimeter of themouth opening. Alternatively, the channel could be formed a distancefrom the top edge by placing a second piece of material around theperimeter or folding the top edge over and sewing or sealing twoparallel seams circumscribing the bag and approximately 1 inch apart.The drawstring member can then be threaded through the channel toprovide a means of closure to the gift bag. In another alternativeembodiment, the drawstring member could be threaded through loops sewnor heat sealed onto the exterior surface of the bag. When the drawstringmember is pulled taut, the gift bag is closed and the enclosed giftconcealed. The gift bag can be purchased in a folded or rolled state ina variety of solid colors, patterns to suit any occasion or holiday, andin a variety of sizes. In addition, the gift bag preferably contains atransparent or clear pocket attached to the exterior surface. The pocketincludes a panel attached on 3 sides to the exterior surface of the bagwith the remaining side of the pocket open, allowing for the insertionof a greeting card or other means of identifying the person to receivethe gift.

Accordingly, it is an objective of the instant invention to provide adecorative gift bag which can be easily filled and closed.

It is a further objective of the instant invention to provide adecorative gift bag in various sizes, colors and patterns that can beeasily filled and closed.

It is yet another objective of the instant invention to provide adecorative gift bag that has a transparent or clear pocket in which toplace a greeting card or means of identifying the person or persons toreceive the gift.

It is a still further objective of the invention to provide a gift bagthat can be opened without destruction of the bag to allow for bagreuse.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in conjunction with any accompanyingdrawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example,certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained hereinconstitute a part of this specification and include exemplaryembodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects andfeatures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gift bag with three closed sides andan open mouth having a drawstring member incorporated into andcircumscribing at least the majority of the perimeter of the mouthopening via a channel formed below the top edge of the gift bag, and aclear or transparent pocket attached to the exterior surface of the giftbag;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the gift bag wherein the drawstring member isin a relaxed or open condition and the drawstring member is threadedthrough a channel formed at the top edge of the gift bag, and a clear ortransparent pocket attached to the exterior surface of the gift bag;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the gift bag wherein the drawstring member isin a gathered or closed condition and the drawstring member is threadedthrough loops sewn or heat sealed onto the exterior surface of the giftbag;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the gift bagwherein the transparent pocket attached to the exterior surface of thebag extends across the entire side surface;

FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of theinstant invention;

FIG. 5B is a front view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a front view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in variousforms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be describeda presently preferred, albeit not limiting, embodiment with theunderstanding that the present disclosure is to be considered anexemplification of the present invention and is not intended to limitthe invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

All patents and publications mentioned in this specification areindicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which theinvention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporatedby reference to the same extent as if each individual publication wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention isillustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangementherein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in theart that various changes may be made without departing from the scope ofthe invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to whatis shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figuresincluded herein.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the presentinvention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain theends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. Theembodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein arepresently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended tobe exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changestherein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which areencompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by thescope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been describedin connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should beunderstood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited tosuch specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of thedescribed modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious tothose skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of thefollowing claims.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the decorative gift bag 10 of the presentinvention is illustrated. The gift bag is formed from at least one andpreferably two panels 16 and an attached functional ribbon or drawstringmember 14 to form a flexible enclosure 12 having an open mouth 18, apocket 40 and a free edge 20. The gift bag may be formed from a singlesheet having a folded edge 22 which forms the bottom edge 24 of theenclosure and two side edges 26 that are seamed and positioned onopposite sides of the enclosure. The side and bottom edges 24, 26 may beattached together by heat sealing, stitches, RF welding, high frequencywelding, laser sealing, solvent sealing, friction sealing, hot gassealing or the like which is well known in the art of making polymericbags. Alternatively, the enclosure 12 may be formed from a tube offlexible material and sealed along the bottom edge 24. The enclosure 12is preferably made of a single layer of thin and flexible polymericmaterial such as plastic, biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate,e.g. Mylar, or other suitable material known in the art, but could alsobe made of multi-layered polymeric material in any suitable thickness,size or color and may include combinations of material without departingfrom the scope of the invention. The drawstring member 14 is attached tothe enclosure 12 adjacent the open mouth 18 and circumscribes at leastthe majority of the length of the fully extended perimeter 32 of theopen mouth 18. The drawstring member 14 may be made of plastic, ribbon,rope, string, or any other suitable material. The drawstring ispreferably continuous, i.e. one piece and is attached to the bag in amanner to permit closure of the gift bag. In a preferred embodiment, thefree edge is folded over and sewn or sealed to form a channel 28 aroundthe perimeter of the open mouth into which the drawstring can bethreaded. The drawstring of the preferred embodiment has a lengthexceeding the perimeter of the open mouth so that the ends 36 of thedrawstring extend from the channel through at least one aperture 38sufficiently to be grasped, pulled and tied into a knot, bow, orotherwise closed condition. In an alternative embodiment, the channel isformed onto the enclosure by stitching or sewing as at 34. A plainstraight stitch would be suitable. Stitch length is preferably on theorder of 1/16 of an inch to 3/16 of an inch and preferably about ⅛inches long. The stitching attachment can be via a thread which can beplastic or cloth. It is preferred that the drawstring be attached to theenclosure adjacent the free edge and preferably within about 1 inch orless of the free edge of the open mouth. The pocket 40 is preferablymade from a transparent or clear material attached to the exteriorsurface of the enclosure 12. The pocket 40 generally includes a pocketpanel 42 attached on 3 sides 44,46,48 to the exterior surface of theenclosure with the remaining side 50 of the pocket open, allowing forthe insertion of a greeting card 52 or other means of identifying theperson to receive the gift. The edges of the pocket panel 44, 46, 48 maybe attached to the outer surface of the enclosure by adhesive, heatsealing, stitches, RF welding, high frequency welding, laser sealing,solvent sealing, friction sealing, hot gas welding, speed tip welding,contact welding, hot plate welding, ultrasonic welding, frictionwelding, laser welding or the like.

Referring to FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of the decorative giftbag 10 is illustrated. The gift bag is formed from at least one andpreferably two panels 16 and an attached functional ribbon or drawstringmember 14 to form a flexible enclosure 12 having an open mouth 18, apocket 40 and a free edge 20. The gift bag may be formed from a singlesheet having a folded edge 22 which forms the bottom edge 24 of theenclosure and two side edges 26 that are seamed and positioned onopposite sides of the enclosure. The side and bottom edges 26, 24 may beattached together by heat sealing, stitches, RF welding, high frequencywelding, laser sealing, solvent sealing, friction sealing, hot gassealing or the like which is well known in the art of making polymericbags. Alternatively, the enclosure 12 may be formed from a tube offlexible material and sealed along the bottom edge 24. The enclosure 12is preferably made of a single layer of thin and flexible polymericmaterial such as plastic, biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalatee.g. Mylar, or other suitable material known in the art, but could alsobe made of multi-layered polymeric material in any suitable thickness,size or color and may include combinations of material without departingfrom the scope of the invention. The drawstring member 14 is attached tothe enclosure 12 adjacent the open mouth 18 and circumscribes at leastthe majority of the length of the fully extended perimeter 32 of theopen mouth 18. The drawstring member 14 may be made of plastic, ribbon,rope, string, or any other suitable material. The drawstring ispreferably continuous, i.e. one piece, and is attached to the bag in amanner to permit closure of the gift bag. In a preferred embodiment, thefree edge is folded over and sewn or sealed to form a channel 28 aroundthe perimeter of the open mouth into which the drawstring can bethreaded. The drawstring of the preferred embodiment has a lengthexceeding the perimeter of the open mouth so that the ends 36 of thedrawstring extend from the channel through at least one aperture 38sufficiently to be grasped, pulled and tied into a knot, bow, orotherwise closed condition. In an alternative embodiment, the channel isformed onto the enclosure by stitching or sewing as at 34. A plainstraight stitch would be suitable. Stitch length is preferably on theorder of 1/16 of an inch to 3/16 of an inch and preferably about ⅛inches long. The stitching attachment can be via a thread which can beplastic or cloth. It is preferred that the drawstring be attached to theenclosure adjacent the free edge and preferably within about 1 inch orless of the free edge of the open mouth. The pocket 40 is preferablymade from a transparent or clear material attached to the exteriorsurface of the enclosure 12. The pocket panel 42 is constructed andarranged to extend completely across at least one panel 16 and isgenerally attached on 3 sides 44, 46, 48 to the exterior surface of theenclosure with the remaining side 50 of the pocket open, allowing forthe insertion of a greeting card 52 or other means of identifying theperson to receive the gift. The edges of the pocket panel 44, 46, 48 maybe attached to the outer surface of the enclosure by adhesive, heatsealing, stitches, RF welding, high frequency welding, laser sealing,solvent sealing, friction sealing, hot gas welding, speed tip welding,contact welding, hot plate welding, ultrasonic welding, frictionwelding, laser welding or the like.

Referring to FIGS. 5A-C, an alternative embodiment of the decorativegift bag 10 is illustrated. The gift bag is formed from at least one andpreferably two opaque panels 16, a transparent pocket 40 and a free edge20 forming an enclosure 12. The gift bag 10 may be formed from a singlesheet having a folded edge 22 which forms the bottom edge 24 of theenclosure and two side edges 26 that are seamed and positioned onopposite sides of the enclosure. The side and bottom edges 26, 24 may beattached together by heat sealing, stitches, RF welding, high frequencywelding, laser sealing, solvent sealing, friction sealing, hot gassealing or the like which is well known in the art of making polymericbags. Alternatively, the enclosure 12 may be formed from a tube offlexible material and sealed along the bottom edge 24. The enclosure 12is preferably made of a single layer of thin and flexible polymericmaterial such as plastic, biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalatee.g. Mylar, or other suitable material known in the art, but could alsobe made of multi-layered polymeric material in any suitable thickness,size or color and may include combinations of material without departingfrom the scope of the invention. In a most preferred embodiment, thebiaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate includes a surfacedecoration suitable for a special occasion such as a birthday, etc. In apreferred embodiment, the enclosure includes a sufficient length toaccept a gift or gift box in addition to enough length to allow the bagto be folded into a decorative present. Particularly, a top corner 60 ofthe free edge is folded over at about a 45 degree angle, and thereafterthe opposite corner 62 is folded in a similar manner to form a pointedor truncated top portion as illustrated in FIG. 5B. The pointed ortruncated portion can thereafter be folded over to the front side of theenclosure to be secured in place with a sticker 64 or the like. Thepocket 40 is preferably made from a substantially transparent or clearmaterial attached to the exterior surface of the enclosure 12. Thepocket panel 42 is constructed and arranged to extend completely acrossat least one panel 16 and is generally attached on 3 sides 44, 46, 48 tothe exterior surface of the enclosure with the remaining open side 50 ofthe pocket open, allowing for the insertion of a greeting card 52 orother means of identifying the person to receive the gift. The open sideof the pocket 50 may be closed after insertion of the greeting card witha sticker 64 or the like. The stickers may be supplied on a sheet 66with the gift bag 10 in the form of a kit, and the stickers may includevarious occasions and holidays that further adorn the gift bag. Thestickers each include an adhesive side and a non-adhesive side, wherebythe adhesive side may be utilized to secure the pocket or the opening ofthe bag. The edges of the pocket panel 44, 46, 48 may be attached to theouter surface of the enclosure by adhesive, heat sealing, stitches, RFwelding, high frequency welding, laser sealing, solvent sealing,friction sealing, hot gas welding, speed tip welding, contact welding,hot plate welding, ultrasonic welding, friction welding, laser weldingor the like.

Thus, there has been shown and described a most preferred embodiment ofa decorative gift bag with a drawstring for easy closure and a clearpocket for insertion of a greeting card. As is evident from theforegoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are notlimited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein,and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications andapplications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in theart. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses andapplications of the present construction will, however, become moreapparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specificationand the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modification,variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from thespirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered theinvention.

1. A gift wrap bag comprising: a front panel having two side edges, atop edge and a bottom edge; a rear panel having two sides, a top edgeand a bottom edge, said front panel and said rear panel welded togetheralong said two side edges and said bottom edge, the top edges of saidfront panel and said rear panel forming an open mouth, an elongatedchannel member extending at least partially around the perimeter of saidgift wrap bag, said channel member welded to said gift wrap bag alongopposite side edges thereof to form a conduit between said gift wrap bagand said channel member; a drawstring member extending through saidconduit, said drawstring member circumscribing the length of the fullyextended perimeter of said open mouth, said drawstring member includinga pair of ends extending beyond said conduit for closing said open mouthof said gift bag; a pocket member made from a clear polymeric materialwelded to said front panel along three sides thereof, said pocket membersized to accept a greeting card.
 2. The gift wrap bag of claim 1 whereinsaid side edges and said bottom edge are attached together by one methodselected from the group consisting of hot gas welding, speed tipwelding, contact welding, hot plate welding, high frequency welding,ultrasonic welding, friction welding or laser welding.
 3. The gift wrapbag of claim 1 wherein said sheet of polymeric material is plastic. 4.The gift wrap bag of claim 1 wherein said sheet of polymeric material isbiaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate.
 5. The gift wrap bag ofclaim 1 wherein said channel member is welded to said gift bag adjacentsaid open mouth.
 6. The gift wrap bag of claim 1 wherein said channelmember is welded to said gift bag within about 1 inch of said openmouth.
 7. The gift wrap bag of claim 1 wherein said pocket memberextends between said two side edges and said bottom edge.
 8. A gift bagcomprising: a single sheet of polymeric material having a fold forming abottom edge, two side edges and two top edges, said side edges weldedtogether forming opposite sides of said gift bag, said top edges formingan open mouth, an elongated channel member extending at least partiallyaround the perimeter of said gift wrap bag, said channel member weldedto said gift wrap bag along opposite side edges thereof to form aconduit between said gift wrap bag and said channel member; a drawstringmember extending through said conduit, said drawstring membercircumscribing the length of the fully extended perimeter of said openmouth, said drawstring member including a pair of ends extending beyondsaid conduit for closing said open mouth of said gift bag; a pocketmember made from a clear polymeric material welded to said front panelalong three sides thereof, said pocket member sized to accept a greetingcard.
 9. The gift wrap bag of claim 8 wherein said side edges and saidbottom edge are attached together by one method selected from the groupconsisting of hot gas welding, speed tip welding, contact welding, hotplate welding, high frequency welding, ultrasonic welding, frictionwelding or laser welding.
 10. The gift wrap bag of claim 8 wherein saidsheet of polymeric material is plastic.
 11. The gift wrap bag of claim10 wherein said sheet of polymeric material is biaxially-orientedpolyethylene terephthalate.
 12. The gift wrap bag of claim 8 whereinsaid channel member is welded to said gift bag adjacent said open mouth.13. The gift wrap bag of claim 8 wherein said channel member is weldedto said gift bag within about 1 inch of said open mouth.
 14. The giftwrap bag of claim 8 wherein said pocket member extends between said twoside edges and said bottom edge.
 15. A gift bag comprising: a tubularsheet of polymeric material welded together along a bottom edge, theupper edge forming an open mouth, an elongated channel member extendingat least partially around the perimeter of said gift wrap bag, saidchannel member welded to said gift wrap bag along opposite side edgesthereof to form a conduit between said gift wrap bag and said channelmember; a drawstring member extending through said conduit, saiddrawstring member circumscribing the length of the fully extendedperimeter of said open mouth, said drawstring member including a pair ofends extending beyond said conduit for closing said open mouth of saidgift bag; a pocket member made from a clear polymeric material welded tosaid front panel along three sides thereof, said pocket member sized toaccept a greeting card.
 16. The gift wrap bag of claim 15 wherein saidside edges and said bottom edge are attached together by one methodselected from the group consisting of hot gas welding, speed tipwelding, contact welding, hot plate welding, high frequency welding,ultrasonic welding, friction welding or laser welding.
 17. The gift wrapbag of claim 15 wherein said sheet of polymeric material is plastic. 18.The gift wrap bag of claim 17 wherein said sheet of polymeric materialis biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate.
 19. The gift wrap bagof claim 15 wherein said channel member is welded to said gift bagadjacent said open mouth.
 20. The gift wrap bag of claim 15 wherein saidchannel member is welded to said gift bag within about 1 inch of saidopen mouth.
 21. The gift wrap bag of claim 15 wherein said pocket memberextends between said two side edges and said bottom edge.
 22. A giftwrap bag kit comprising: a front panel having two side edges, a top edgeand a bottom edge; a rear panel having two sides, a top edge and abottom edge, said front panel and said rear panel welded together alongsaid two side edges and said bottom edge, the top edges of said frontpanel and said rear panel forming an open mouth; a plurality of stickermembers secured to a sheet, each said sticker member having anon-adhesive side and an adhesive side; a pocket member made from aclear polymeric material welded to said front panel along three sidesthereof, said pocket member sized to accept a greeting card.
 23. Thegift wrap bag of claim 22 wherein said side edges and said bottom edgeare attached together by one method selected from the group consistingof hot gas welding, speed tip welding, contact welding, hot platewelding, high frequency welding, ultrasonic welding, friction welding orlaser welding.
 24. The gift wrap bag of claim 22 wherein said sheet ofpolymeric material is plastic.
 25. The gift wrap bag of claim 22 whereinsaid sheet of polymeric material is biaxially-oriented polyethyleneterephthalate.
 26. The gift wrap bag of claim 22 wherein said pocketmember extends between said two side edges and said bottom edge.